Closure device for food-containing bags and the like

ABSTRACT

The disclosure sets forth an S-shaped double multicoil device for engaging open necks of bags and affording a temporary removable and replaceable closure thereof and for other purposes. The device is formed by winding wire on an automatic coil winder to form spaced coils having about one inch diameter, each of which is about 1 3/4 tightly wound turns which are spaced 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch apart. The spacing may in general determine the generation of the interconnection curve. The double coils are then turned away from each other and pulled apart in sequence or in one operation. The final device has an oblique integral connection forming an S-shape with each loop of the S having about 1 3/4 turns and with the loops separated so that the spacing between the coils is about equal to the diameter of a coil.

United States Patent Jenner Feb. 8, 1972 [54] CLOSURE DEVICE FOR FOOD- CONTAINING BAGS AND THE LIKE [72] Inventor: Myron Jenner, Bethel, Vt. 05032 [22] Filed: Jan. 21, 1969 [21] Appl. No.: 792,705

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS France ..24/30.5 RS

Primary Examiner-Stanley N. Gilreath [5 7] ABSTRACT The disclosure sets forth an S-shaped double multicoil device for engaging open necks of bags and affording a temporary removable and replaceable closure thereof and for other purposes. The device is formed by winding wire on an automatic coil winder to form spaced coils having about one inch diameter, each of which is about 1% tightly wound turns which are spaced 1% inch or Y4 inch apart. The spacing may in general detennine the generation of the interconnection curve. The double coils are then turned away from each other and pulled apart in sequence or in one operation. The final device has an oblique integral connection forming an S-shape with each loop of the S having about 1% turns and with the loops separated so that the spacing between the coils is about equal to the diameter of a coil.

5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENIEIJ FEB 8l972 3.639.947

sum 1 0F 2 INVENTOR. MYRON JENNER ATTORNEY PATENTEU FEB 8 B72 SHEET 2 OF 2 INVENT MYRON JE ATTORNEY CLOSURE DEVICE FOR FOOD-CONTAINING BAGS AND THE LIKE DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a closure device, and particularly for temporarily closing the open end of bags of plastic or paper, such as those which contain foodstuffs or other materials around the household.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide a relatively simple low-cost readily manipulated closure device, particularly designed for closing bags such as those containing bread, fruit, cheese and other household foodstuffs which it is desirable to keep away from air until the contents are completely consumed.

Another object is to provide a replaceable and reusable closure device which may be readily utilized in and around the household for closing or attaching to paper, plastic or cloth articles and which will adequately grasp and/or close the article to which it is applied, while providing an additional loop for handling or for hanging or for other similar purposes.

Another object is to provide a method for making a relatively simple, durable closure device, particularly designed for closing bags containing foodstuffs and the like, which is readily processed out of a closed coil of thin wire.

Still further objects and advantages will appear in the more detailed description set forth below, it being understood, however, that this more detailed description is given by way of illustration and explanation only and not by way of limitation, since various changes therein may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

In accomplishing the above objects it has been found most suitable to form a series of separated coils of about two convolutions, which are separated from one another on a coil winder, and which are then sequentially or simultaneously turned into the same plane and pulled apart to leave about two convolutions on each side, separated by an oblique connecting member, so that the whole article forms an S-shaped body, with the separation between the coils about the same as the width of a coil.

The turns of one of the two coils may now be axially spread apart to grip a flexible or pliable article to be inserted therein.

In the accompanying drawing wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a coil serving as a precursor for a closure device embodying my invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the two halves of the coil after they have been flipped into the same plane and then pulled apart to form an insertion gap;

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 33 of FIG. 2 and drawn to an enlarged scale as compared to FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the manner in which the neck of a bag may be held for insertion into the closure device;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 4, showing the insertion into one of the coils of the closure device; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view similar to FIGS. 4 and 5, showing the completion of the insertion into the closure device.

In FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the device is shown as having a series of turns 10, ll, 12 and 13. These turns are originally wound into a coil in which all turns are in contact with one another, as indicated at 14 and 15. The four turns 10-13 may be cut off a larger coil, as indicated at 17 and 18, whereupon the two coil portions 10 and 11 on one hand and I2 and 13 on the other hand may be pulled apart axially to form two loops A, B of 1% turns each, linked to each other by a connecting portion 19.

These coils A and B are then turned as indicated in FIG. 2 so as to be in the same plane, and they are then pulled apart so that the link 19 is converted into a connecting leg C of extended sinuous shape, as indicated at 20 and 21. Thus there will be formed wedge-shaped insertion areas D and E on each side of the connecting element C.

The number of turns in each multrturn loop element A and B may be varied; it will be noted that these turns are in close contact at 14 and 15 so that there will be substantial compression between them which will resist insertion of an article between the turns 12 and 13 in the loop B and 10 and 11 in the loop A.

In FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 I show the manner in which the device may be utilized for engaging the open end of a plastic, paper or other type of bag. The coils A and B are shown turned over from their position in FIGS. 2 and 3. The hand F will grip one loop B as shown in FIG. 4, while the fingers G of the other hand will grasp the neck H of the bag J, which may be twisted.

This neck may be inserted in the wedge-shaped opening D and moved between the turns 10 and 11, slightly separating them as indicated at 25. The direction of insertion is indicated by the arrow 26. Then as the insertion continues at 27, as shown in FIG. 6, the turns will be more widely separated, as indicated at 28, with the neck portion H of the bag being tightly grasped between the turn 10 and the turn 11, as indicated at K. To remove air and to tighten the bag, the neck portion H of the bag may be pulled up between the turns.

To release the bag, it may be readily moved in the direction indicated at 29.

The device acts as a most advantageous, time-saving household aid. It instantly seals any plastic, paper or cloth bag with a flick of the wrist, whether it be a bread bag, freezer bag or leftover bag, without twisting, or handling of elusive wire connections. The fonn of the double loop A and B connected by the oblique link C enables ready manipulation; the device may be made of steel wire which can be tin or chromium plated for protection. The device will seal a plastic bag without leakage in the freezer compartment or for other purposes.

The threading and unthreading of the bag top H into and out of the coacting turns of loop A is easily accomplished with the free ends of the coil wire on top, as shown, though the inverted position is also possible.

I claim:

1. A fastening device of S-shaped contour comprising a pair of spaced integrally connected coils with closely contacting convolutions, the coils being provided with an integral oblique connection extending between sides of the coils and diverging therefrom at its junctions therewith to form a wedge-shaped entrance for the article to be fastened.

2. The device defined in claim I wherein one of the convolutions of each of said coils is extended to form said oblique connection.

3. The device defined in claim 3 wherein the convolutions extended to form said connection are coplanar.

4. The device defined in claim 3 wherein each of said coils has one complete and one incomplete convolution, the latter being extended to form said connection.

5. In combination, the device defined in claim 3 and a bag of flexible material having a twisted neck gripped by the convolutions of one of said coils. 

1. A fastening device of S-shaped contour comprising a pair of spaced integrally connected coils with closely contacting convolutions, the coils being provided with an integral oblique connection extending between sides of the coils and diverging therefrom at its junctions therewith to form a wedge-shaped entrance for the article to be fastened.
 2. The device defined in claim 1 wherein one of the convolutions of each of said coils is extended to form said oblique connection.
 3. The device defined in claim 3 wherein the convolutions extended to form said connection are coplanar.
 4. The device defined in claim 3 wherein eacH of said coils has one complete and one incomplete convolution, the latter being extended to form said connection.
 5. In combination, the device defined in claim 3 and a bag of flexible material having a twisted neck gripped by the convolutions of one of said coils. 